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Business Confidence Stories

UK Stories

Business Confidence stories

UK small business profits rise as late payments bite
Manufacturing

UK small business profits rise as late payments bite

Cash-flow strain is deepening for UK SMEs, even as profits rose 7.4% and nearly half of invoices were still overdue, Sage said.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month
UK innovation firms eye growth at home despite delays
Data centers

UK innovation firms eye growth at home despite delays

Delayed procurement is making revenue visibility harder for UK innovation firms, even as 56 per cent plan their next growth phase at home.

By Sean Mitchell • 5 min read • Last month
Financial planning firms boost technology spending
Data Analytics

Financial planning firms boost technology spending

The shift comes as 42% of firms use tech spend to cope with growth and regulation, up from 35% in the previous survey.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Thu, 28th May 2026

Global Stories

Business Confidence stories

Australia & New Zealand small firms lift marketing spend
Data Protection

Australia & New Zealand small firms lift marketing spend

Despite inflation and interest-rate pressure, most small firms are boosting marketing and AI use to win customers and protect revenue.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 5 min read • Last month
Small business tech demand lifts reseller prices in Europe
Data Protection

Small business tech demand lifts reseller prices in Europe

Smaller firms' shift towards higher-spec devices is widening Europe's pricing gap, with reseller average selling prices rising far faster than retail chains.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • Last month
SAP Concur warns of rising fraud in Australian finance
Data Analytics

SAP Concur warns of rising fraud in Australian finance

Australian finance teams face mounting losses as 62 per cent of respondents reported fraud-related damage in the past three years.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month

Stories from Other Regions

Business Confidence stories

Irish CEOs upbeat on growth as geopolitical risk rises
Digital Transformation

Irish CEOs upbeat on growth as geopolitical risk rises

Geopolitical tensions are now the top worry for Irish bosses, even as 92% expect revenue growth and a stronger competitive position.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last week
EY survey says investors back Ireland despite wider risks
Artificial Intelligence

EY survey says investors back Ireland despite wider risks

Concerns over infrastructure and costs have not deterred foreign investors, with two-thirds planning to expand in Ireland over the next year.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month
MYOB data points to pause in small business hiring
MYOB

MYOB data points to pause in small business hiring

Weaker demand and rising wage costs are leaving most SMEs in a holding pattern, with few planning to add staff over the next year.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month
Xero finds New Zealand small business productivity lags
Manufacturing

Xero finds New Zealand small business productivity lags

New data show Kiwi small firms generating less per hour than peers in Australia and the UK, as rising costs squeeze margins.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month
The warm-weather playbook: How small business owners turn sunny days into loyal customers
Customer Experience

The warm-weather playbook: How small business owners turn sunny days into loyal customers

Summer foot traffic gives small firms a rare chance to win loyal buyers with banners, uniforms and merch, if they act quickly.

By Erin Shea • 6 min read • Last month
Canadian entrepreneurship falls as credit strain rises
Small Business

Canadian entrepreneurship falls as credit strain rises

More firms are missing lender payments even as start-up activity slumps, underscoring pressure on Canadian small businesses and credit markets.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 6 min read • Last month
MYOB says Australian SMEs stay in growth territory
Supply Chain

MYOB says Australian SMEs stay in growth territory

Rising costs and weaker spending left many small firms under pressure, even as national SME activity still managed quarterly growth of 0.6%.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Last month
New Zealand businesses shift from recovery to resilience
Digital Transformation

New Zealand businesses shift from recovery to resilience

Confidence among New Zealand firms is being driven more by productivity and investment than hopes of a return to pre-pandemic normality.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 3 min read • Last month
Hays finds most Australian AI users lack formal training
Manufacturing

Hays finds most Australian AI users lack formal training

Most Australian workers using AI at work have had no formal training, leaving security, privacy and skills gaps as adoption races ahead.

By Mark Tarre • 5 min read • Last month
Singapore CEOs see geopolitical risk as top concern
Digital Transformation

Singapore CEOs see geopolitical risk as top concern

Singapore boardrooms are shifting towards disciplined growth, as 71% of CEOs rank geopolitical uncertainty above all other business risks.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 6 min read • Wed, 27th May 2026
Irish SMEs gain from overseas sales & social commerce
Fintech

Irish SMEs gain from overseas sales & social commerce

Overseas buyers now account for 44% of online sales for surveyed Irish SMEs, as social commerce and AI reshape growth plans.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Fri, 22nd May 2026